In Wisconsin are an estimated 75 breweries, and most Americans live within 10 miles of a brewery. This photo was taken at the annual Kohler Festival of Beer, which is held in June.

The Brewers Association, which represents 1,900 small and independent brewers nationwide, says most Americans live within 10 miles of a brewery and that Wisconsin had 75 breweries at the end of 2011.

The total doesn't include new breweries being planned in Algoma, Hales Corners, Madison, Mequon, Orfordville and Waldo.

The association also says the nation's 2,126 breweries include 1,072 brewpubs, 922 microbreweries, 81 regional craft breweries and 51 noncraft breweries. Categorization depends upon level of beer production and the percentage sold on-site.

Within the Wisconsin Brewer's Guild are about 40 members, from mega brewers such as Miller in Milwaukee to Madison's new House of Brews, which bases a part of its sales on a community-supported brewery program, which means subscribers pay in advance for a set amount of beer per year. Go to houseofbrewsmadisoncom.

Why mention all of this? Many breweries are open for tours, tastings and - within the many brewpubs - meals. Now add a growing interest from other chefs to use beer in their menus.

Matching beer to one or more courses of a meal was a part of this month's Kohler Food and Wine Experience, a major and annual gathering for food and wine enthusiasts. Spiaggia chef Tony Mantuano of Chicago led a beer-pairings luncheon. Other seminars paired beer with chocolates and other gourmet products or recipes.

Chef Paul Smitala of Kohler's Blackwolf Run used beer from Sheboygan's 3 Sheeps Brewing Co. during a free cooking demo at the event. Here are his recipes.

Paella

1 pound chicken, diced

1 cup chorizo sausage

1 cup yellow onion, diced small

1 tablespoon salt

1 tablespoon pepper

1 teaspoon garlic

1/4 cup flat leaf parsley

16 ounce can diced tomatoes, drained

4 cups rice

1 cup beer*

5 cups chicken stock

20 saffron threads**

16 shrimp

16 scallops

2 cups lobster meat

20 Little Neck clams

1/2 cup fresh peas

Heat oil in paella pan on high heat; brown chorizo sausage. Remove and reserve. Season chicken with salt and pepper; brown in paella pan. Remove and reserve.

In same pan, cook onion and garlic about 2 minutes. Add tomatoes and rice. Mix until combined.

**Saffron threads are sold at Wauwatosa-based Penzeys Spices and other spice specialty shops.

Caramelized apple crème brulee

For crème brulee:

1 quart heavy cream

1 vanilla bean

1 1/2 cups sugar, separated

6 large egg yolks

2 quarts water

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Split vanilla bean down center and scrape out pulp with back of knife. Place cream, vanilla bean and pulp in saucepan; bring to a boil and remove from heat. Cover and let sit 10 minutes; remove vanilla bean.

Erv's Mug, 130 W. Ryan Road, Oak Creek, presents monthly beer-pairing dinners. The next is Dec. 4. Craft beers are matched with four courses. Average cost for these events is $30, and seating is 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. For more about Erv's, in business since 1979: ervsmug.com, 414-762-5010.

About 4,340 beers from 666 breweries in 75 categories were entered in this month's Great American Beer Festival, and that was a 10 percent increase from 2011. The six 2012 Champion Breweries included Great Dane Pub and Brewing Co., Madison, which topped the brewpub category. The brewery also brought home a gold medal for its Uber Bock beer.